Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School in the Education District VI of Lagos State has emerged the overall winner of the Year 2025 INTER- SECONDARY School Environmental competition organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in partnership with the Earthplus Environmental Sustainability Network.
10 schools from both public and private eventually got to the finals of the keenly contested competition, which has the theme: “Solutions for a Viable Environment: Towards a Future with Zero Plastic Pollution”.
Participating schools included Ojodu Junior School (Success Team), Grandmate School (The Collectables), Keke Senior High School (Trash to Treasure), Bolade Senior Grammar School (Transparent Land), Army Cantonment Junior High School (Green Minds), Birch Freeman Senior High School (Ecovators), Ikeja Senior Grammar School (Eco Cycle ), Oke Ira Senior Grammar School (Young Environmentalists), and Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School (Nature Lovers).
The first-place winner, Oke-Ira Senior Grammar School (The young Environmentalists) received the sum of Five hundred thousand Naira (₦500,000) cash prize, while the second and third runners up: Grandmates School (The Collectables) and Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School (Nature Lovers) were presented with valuable prizes in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
The competition which was organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in partnership with Earthplus Sustainability Network, tagged: “Project SOLVE 2.0” was held at LASEPA Headquarters, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja at the weekend.
The young talents competition brought together students from both private and public secondary schools across Lagos State who showcased various creative and practical solutions, addressing plastic pollution while promoting environmental consciousness and sustainability.
Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Tajudeen-Gaji, emphasised the crucial role of young people in shaping a sustainable future through innovation and environmental stewardship.
Dr. Gaji, who was represented by a senior Director in the Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Sojunu Olasunkanmi, noted that the competition’s theme aligns with the Ministry’s mission to ensure a flood-free, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing Lagos through efficient waste management practices.
Dr. Gaji, while describing plastic pollution as one of the most pressing global environmental threats, highlighted its role in flooding, marine ecosystem degradation, and waterway contamination.
He also commended the State Government’s proactive measures, including the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics, aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
He commended LASEPA and Earthplus for fostering youth-led environmental innovation and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continued partnerships that promote sustainability and climate resilience.
In his welcome address, the General Manager, LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, described Project SOLVE 2.0 as a platform designed to harness the creativity of young Nigerians in addressing plastic pollution and its harmful impacts on health, aquatic life, and the environment.
Dr. Ajayi expressed happiness in the students’ ingenuity and dedication, stating, “It is heartwarming to see children take up the responsibility of protecting our environment and leading the fight against plastic pollution.”
In her goodwill message, the Director, Partnership, Grant Management and Innovation, Mrs. Olabisi Shonibare, emphasised the relevance of SDG 17 – Partnerships for development – as a driving force for collective environmental action.
She noted that many environmental challenges stem from human activities, and collaboration between government agencies, organisations, and citizens is essential for long-term solutions. “That is why we are pushing this message to the young ones because they represent the future of sustainable action,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of Earthplus, the Deputy Team Lead, Mrs. Mosadoluwa Otenaike, described the organisation as a youth-led non-profit dedicated to transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for innovation and sustainability.
She explained that Project SOLVE was conceptualised to inspire students to design scalable and impactful solutions to environmental issues, with the 2.0 edition focusing on plastic pollution in line with the 2025 World Environment Day theme.
According to her, the competition received numerous entries from both public and private secondary schools across Lagos, particularly from pollution-prone areas. 10 outstanding teams advanced to the grand finale, each presenting creative, low-cost, and scalable projects designed to achieve zero plastic pollution in their communities.
